1905 Lewis & Clark Exposition Gold Quarter Token - X-Tn1

Coin Details

Auction Record

$840 MS66 12-07-2017 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1905 Lewis & Clark Exposition gold quarter token is a small gold souvenir piece from the Lewis and Clark Centennial and American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair, held in Portland, Oregon, from June 1 through October 15, 1905. The exposition celebrated the centennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition's arrival at the Pacific Ocean in 1805, highlighting the settlement and development of the Pacific Northwest in the intervening century. The gold quarter denomination connects this souvenir piece to Oregon's rich gold coinage heritage — the Oregon Exchange Company had produced the territory's only private gold coins in 1849, and gold mining had been an important part of the Pacific Northwest economy throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century. The choice of a gold token as an exposition souvenir thus carried particular resonance in Oregon, linking the commemorative event to the region's monetary and mining history. The Lewis and Clark Exposition attracted over 1.6 million visitors to Portland and generated significant economic activity for the city. Official commemorative gold dollars were also produced by the United States Mint for the exposition, making 1905 another year where private gold tokens complemented official commemorative coinage. The X-Tn1 gold quarter provided fairgoers with an affordable gold memento of their visit to Portland's celebration of western exploration and settlement.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Approximately 40-75 examples survive. The Lewis and Clark Exposition attracted smaller attendance than the major Eastern fairs, potentially limiting token production and survival.

Cross References

PCGS #527123; HK X-Tn1 (Lewis & Clark Exposition Token)